BCG (TB) vaccine (where advised)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM).

MSM are a group at high risk of HPV infection and associated disease.

There are over 100 types of HPV. HPV types 16 and 18 cause the majority of HPV associated cancers, notably anal, throat and penile cancers in men and cervical cancer in women. Other HPV types such as 6 and 11 cause genital warts.

A HPV vaccination programme for girls has been in place since 2008. Vaccinating the majority of girls in the UK, means that their future male partners get some protection too. However, MSM receive little indirect health benefit from the routine vaccination programme for girls.

The risk of anal cancer in MSM is higher than in heterosexual men. If you also have HIV, the risk is higher again. In addition, MSM are more likely to get genital warts.

The HPV vaccination programme for MSM offers a course of HPV vaccine to MSM up to and including 45 years of age when attending sexual health clinics for sexual health services.

Other individuals at similar risk of HPV infection may be offered vaccination when attending a clinic, based on a clinical assessment. These include some MSM over 45 years, transgender men and women, HIV positive men who are not MSM, HIV positive women and sex workers.

If you are 15 years of age or older, the HPV vaccine is usually a course of three injections given over 4-12 months. If you have the first dose under 15 years of age you only need to two doses (6 months apart).